The Need for a Constitution

Question

Project: Political Cartoon
Assignment Information
Purpose Create a political cartoon depicting the fate and outcome of the Articles of Confederation.
Time Approximately twenty minutes
Assignment Prompt
Create a political cartoon depicting the fate and outcome of the Articles of Confederation.
Assignment Instructions
Step 1) Gather materials and necessary information.
a) Review your eNotes on the Articles of Confederation, focusing in particular on the weaknesses of the document.
b) Ask your teacher whether you will be using presentation, drawing, word-processing, or artistic software to
develop the cartoon.
Step 2) Consider the elements of a political cartoon.
a) Images: How will you use images to convey your main ideas?
b) Symbolism: How will you use symbols, objects, or images to represent someone or something?
c) Text: How will you incorporate text into your cartoon?
d) Tone: What will the attitude of your cartoon be?
Look at the example shown here. This political cartoon shows Speaker of
the House John Boehner (a Republican) and President Barack Obama (a Democrat).While the two pretend to work
together by putting their arms around each other, they are actually working against each other. This sentiment is depicted by the “KICK ME” signs they are putting on each other’s backs. Notice the way each person is represented by
an exaggerated image. The text is there for clarity. The tone is ironic: Iif you were to look at the image from the other
side, the two would appear to have their arms around each other; but from the back, you can see what they are really
doing to one another.
Step 3) Brainstorm ideas for your political cartoon.
a) Consider the opinion that you want to express about the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
b) Think about how you might be able to communicate this idea in a clever way. What will you draw? How will
you express your ideas with images?
c) Determine how you can make your cartoon clear to your readers so they understand your perspective.

Answer 1

Political Cartoon: The Fate of the Articles of Confederation

Step 1: Gather Materials and Necessary Information

• Review Weaknesses: The Articles of Confederation had several key weaknesses:
  • No power to tax
  • No central authority to enforce laws
  • States held too much power
  • No executive or judicial branches
  • Difficulty passing legislation (required a supermajority)

Step 2: Consider the Elements of a Political Cartoon

• Images: A broken bridge representing the lack of unity among the states, with one side labeled “States” and the other side marked “National Authority.”
• Symbolism: A jigsaw puzzle with missing pieces representing how the Articles failed to create a complete government. The pieces can be labeled “Taxation” and “Central Power.”
• Text: Use a caption like “Can We All Just Get Along?” or “Pieces Missing from the Puzzle of Governance” to emphasize the disunity and lack of structure.
• Tone: The tone will be sarcastic or ironic, pointing out the absurdity of the situation created by the Articles' weaknesses.

Step 3: Brainstorm Ideas for Your Political Cartoon

• Concept: A cartoon where states are represented as separate characters trying to cross a chasm on a rickety, incomplete bridge.

  • State Characters: Each state can be personified with symbols or stereotypes (e.g., a cowboy for Texas, a lobster for Maine).
  • Chasm Representation: The gap symbolizes the division and lack of a strong central government. The other side can be depicted as a barren land representing disorganization.

• Visual Elements:

  • The characters of the states are struggling to balance on a bridge that is incomplete (missing planks), symbolizing the inability of the Articles to form a cohesive unit.
  • A giant question mark above them representing confusion or uncertainty about governance.

• Clarity for Readers: Use bold lines and distinct colors for the characters and the broken bridge to draw attention. Ensure the text is easy to read, with clear labels for each state character and the title of the cartoon at the top.

Final Cartoon Composition:

1. Title at the Top: “The Articles of Confederation: A Bridge to Nowhere!”

2. Central Image: The rickety bridge being attempted by various state characters, all looking confused or worried, with symbolic items (jigsaw pieces, question mark) illustrated around them.

3. Caption Below the Image: “Can We All Just Get Along?”

By utilizing imagery, symbolism, text, and a sarcastic tone, the cartoon effectively conveys both the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and the consequences of their inadequacies.